THE PROCESS: Each panelist ranks the teams from No. 1 to No. 32. Teams receive one point for their spot in the rankings (the No. 15 team gets 15 points, etc.). An aggregate score is compiled from the 10 ballots and the teams are stacked in reverse order, with the lowest score achieving the No. 1 ranking and the highest score checking in at No. 32.

THIS WEEK’S POLL: Alone at the top.

That’s where Tom Brady and the New England Patriots stand after capturing nine of a possible 10 first-place votes.

The only first-place vote keeping the Patriots’ status from being unanimous was cast for Denver by Gosselin, who had the Denver Broncos first and New England second.

At the other end, Arizona’s nine straight losses and the blowout suffered at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks earned the Cardinals six last-place votes. But Arizona still managed to stay a couple of points ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs, who remain last overall.

THE STEELERS’ STATUS: The Steelers fell to No. 12 in the wake of being beaten at home by the San Diego Chargers. Pittsburgh was voted as high as No. 10 and as low as No. 16.